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NEWPORT, R.I. – U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), two of the state’s leading advocates for developing cybersecurity defense and raising awareness, will be among the experts leading a panel discussion on “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity: The National Cybersecurity Framework and Beyond” being held Monday, March 10 from 9-10:30 a.m. at Salve Regina University.

The event, sponsored by the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, will be held at the Young Building, corner of Bellevue and Ruggles avenues. The event has drawn about 100 registered participants representing the defense industry, financial services, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, law enforcement, academia and community members.

Sen. Whitehouse will present the keynote address at 9:45 a.m., and Rep. Langevin will give closing remarks at 10:20 a.m. Candice Barry, a Rhode Island native who serves as senior coordinator and intelligence cyber security at RBS Citizens Bank, will serve as moderator.

The panel’s main topic of discussion will be the National Cybersecurity Framework published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in February. The document outlines a set of voluntary standards, guidelines, and best practices to mitigate cyber risks to networks and critical infrastructure.

Panelists will include:

Adam Sedgewick (NIST) will provide an overview of the Cybersecurity Framework, discuss the process from the EO to February 2014, the main components of the framework, and how to use it.

Mike Leking (Department of Homeland Security) will present DHS’ programs and responsibilities as they relate to cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, discuss some of the specific resources for the private sector, and touch upon how DHS was involved in the development of the Cybersecurity Framework.

Jamia McDonald (Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency) will discuss existing RI policies and legislation in regards to cybersecurity and infrastructure protection, and explore how Rhode Island state agencies and regulators can use the Framework to help local businesses improve their cybersecurity posture.